Dr. Savitha Elam-Kootil is an advisory board member at MyYogaTeacher, and she practices internal medicine at Kaiser Permanente where she specializes in primary care, chronic disease management, and elder care. She is also a lead physician for depression care management – a primary care initiative to improve patient health.
Raised in Southern India, Dr. Elam-Kootil developed an awareness of yoga early on in her life. After moving to the United States, she began to see a need for the transformative effects of yoga to improve her patients’ mental and physical health.
Having witnessed the benefits of yoga, Dr. Elam-Kootil regularly recommends it to her patients to help with a wide range of issues, including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, sleep apnea, insomnia, depression, anxiety, chronic low back pain, and chronic addictions.
“I tell patients that yoga is not just a physical practice with difficult poses, but also a mental practice that can help with breathing, posture, and feeling better emotionally,” says Dr. Elam-Kootil, who takes a holistic approach towards health.
- J.L.N. Medical College
- Belgaum, Karnataka, India
- Internship at the University of South Carolina Richland Memorial Hospital
- Residency at the Atlanta Medical Center
- Board certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine
- Recipient of Kaiser Permanente’s Golden Stethoscope award
- Board certified in sleep medicine by the American Society of Sleep Medicine
- Clinical hypertension specialist certified by by the American Society of Hypertension.
- Internist at Kaiser Permanente Georgia
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{"slug":"welcome-dr-savitha-kootil","recentPosts":[{"id":"cl6eo45ac0km10bjx9w1bqkh6","slug":"welcome-dr-savitha-kootil","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"Dr Savitha Kootil - advisory board member of MyYogaTeacher","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":null,"readTime":null,"excerpt":null,"tags":[],"createdAt":"2022-08-04T06:39:30.753885+00:00","coverUrl":"omiasndmkn41wbtvzoij.png","content":{"text":"Dr. Savitha Elam-Kootil is an advisory board member at MyYogaTeacher, and she practices internal medicine at Kaiser Permanente where she specializes in primary care, chronic disease management, and elder care. She is also a lead physician for depression care management – a primary care initiative to improve patient health. \\nRaised in Southern India, Dr. Elam-Kootil developed an awareness of yoga early on in her life. After moving to the United States, she began to see a need for the transformative effects of yoga to improve her patients’ mental and physical health. \\nHaving witnessed the benefits of yoga, Dr. Elam-Kootil regularly recommends it to her patients to help with a wide range of issues, including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, sleep apnea, insomnia, depression, anxiety, chronic low back pain, and chronic addictions.\\n“I tell patients that yoga is not just a physical practice with difficult poses, but also a mental practice that can help with breathing, posture, and feeling better emotionally,” says Dr. Elam-Kootil, who takes a holistic approach towards health.\\nEducation\\n- J.L.N. Medical College\\n- Belgaum, Karnataka, India\\n- Internship at the University of South Carolina Richland Memorial Hospital\\n- Residency at the Atlanta Medical Center\\nProfessional Accomplishments\\n- Board certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine\\n- Recipient of Kaiser Permanente’s Golden Stethoscope award\\n- Board certified in sleep medicine by the American Society of Sleep Medicine\\n- Clinical hypertension specialist certified by by the American Society of Hypertension.\\nCurrent Practice\\n- Internist at Kaiser Permanente Georgia\\n"},"category":[]},{"id":"cl60y1ikp2srx0ak63fnq2txk","slug":"7-days-of-relaxation","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":null},"title":"Celebrating National Relaxation Day With MyYogaTeacher: Free 7 Days of Relaxation Event","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"Join the free Seven Day Relaxation event hosted by MyYogaTeacher! You'll find 7 days of free yoga and meditation sessions that help you relax!","readTime":null,"excerpt":"Join the free Seven Days of Relaxation event hosted by MyYogaTeacher! You'll find 7 days of free yoga and meditation sessions that help you relax!","tags":[],"createdAt":"2022-07-25T16:08:37.667528+00:00","coverUrl":"i9lswae7b72hwhv8bjas.png","content":{"text":"August 12-18\\nKeep reading to learn more and sign up for some very special sessions!\\nThe pandemic, politics, climate change, a recession and inflation…these things do not have to define your mental and emotional status! You \\ncan\\n experience deep relaxation in the midst of stress and chaos.\\nWe've put together an entire schedule of classes dedicated to helping you relax deeply, no matter what's going on at home, at work, or in the world.\\nIf you were more relaxed, more calm, more present – what would your home life look like? What would your work life look like? Now do you think it's worth carving out a few hours for yourself, to relax, to connect with WHY you do what you do? (ie. the love you feel for these people in your life)\\n[CTA-DEFAULT]\\nThis event is completely free. It starts on August 12 and goes through to August 18th.\\nNote\\n: If you signed up for a free trial more than two weeks ago, your free access is probably gone. No worries, if you want to attend any of the sessions - send an email to care@myyogateacher.com and say “Please restart my trial so I can join the Relaxation Day event!” And, as always with MyYogaTeacher, these sessions are all live, interactive, and online. So you can learn from master yogis, in India, from the comfort of your home!\\n\\nAnd yes, we are going to keep many of these relaxation sessions going even after the free event ends. So if you're a member and you're reading this, you get to continue to soak up the mellow vibes.\\nBring your friends and family!\\nYou're welcome to invite your family members, friends, or anyone you think could benefit from a little stress relief. In fact, we encourage you to do this with your entire family! Imagine what your household would look like if everyone was a little more at ease, peaceful, and patient.\\nThere are 23 classes being offered for this event (a lot, right?!). Including our very special featured class with the amazing Dr. Savitha Kootil!\\nBreathing Life Back Into Your Mental and Emotional Wellbeing with Dr. Savitha Kootil\\nDr. Kootil takes a holistic approach to health. She offers patients, and those feeling anxiety and stress, various breathing, meditation, and mindfulness tips that are grounded in yoga philosophy. “I tell patients that yoga is not just a physical practice with difficult poses, but also a mental practice that can help with breathing, posture, and feeling better emotionally,” says Dr. Kootil. Her webinar “Breathing Life Back Into Your Mental & Emotional Wellbeing” will address how people can take control of their emotions and thoughts which are making them feel angry, depressed, helpless, inert, sad, or scared. \\nClick here to find out more or book this session\\n\\n\\n\\n \\nClick here to see a zoomed in version of the schedule\\n\\n\\nPartner Tantra Yoga (Building Your Relationship in New Light) with Niyata and Bodhi\\nPeople practice couple/partner tantra to feel connected to their partner on a higher level. Strengthens relations. Tantric techniques involve the five senses and their intimate understanding, which leads to new discoveries about yourself and the person you are practicing with.Tantric yoga demands your full focus, which will allow you to connect and reflect. \\nClick here to find out more or book this session\\n\\nBhakti Yoga (Bhajan,Kirtan and Mantra Chanting) with Niyata\\nThis practice has been found to provide a number of physical and mental health benefits, such as increased energy and stamina, reduced anxiety, stress, and depression, as well as improved sleep quality, enhanced self-esteem and self worth. It improves overall psychological well being. \\nClick here to find out more or book this session\\n\\nLove and Kindness Meditation (Metta Meditation) with Preeti\\nLoving-kindness meditation or ‘Metta’ meditation is an ultimate form of generous and selfless love towards ourselves and others.It is the simplest meditation. You will become more self-accepting than ever andl feel a deep sense of emotional strength that balances your thoughts and actions. \\nClick here to find out more or book this session\\n\\nMeditation For Sleep - Golden Light Meditation with Preeti\\nThis is a simple method of transforming your energy and leading to a deep state of rest. If you are seeking restful sleep and refreshed mornings, this is the perfect class for you. \\nClick here to find out more or book this session\\n\\nLaughter Yoga (Hasyayoga) with Sujit\\nLaughter yoga helps to ease anxiety and helps with depression ... simply by allowing you to stay in the present moment. These exercises are value based, playful and Yogic but they are all ultimately about letting go and are very diaphragmatic. It helps to bring oxygen to the brain and all the cells in our body and helps to release all the feel good chemicals and endorphins. \\nClick here to find out more or book this session\\n\\nMantra,Mudra and Meditation with Bodhi\\n Chanting mantras has the power to transform our mind, body, and spirit. When we recite any mantras mantra, it creates vibrations in our whole body. The movement of energy regulates the chemicals in our brain. So mantras can make a profound impact onour mind. \\nClick here to find out more or book this session\\n\\nTheta Meditation: Accessing the brain power with Bodhi\\nCreated for deep relaxation, this class uses theta waves. Theta activity has a frequency of 3.5 to 7.5 Hz and is classed as a “slow” activity. It is seen in connection with creativity, intuition, daydreaming, and fantasizing and is a repository for memories, emotions, and sensations. \\nClick here to find out more or book this session\\n\\nPranic Energization Technique (PET) with Bodhi\\nWhat is PET? An advanced Yogic meditation technique where we use our Prana Shakti to energize the whole body. It can strengthen the immune defense system of the body. \\nClick here to find out more or book this session\\n\\nTrataka - Candlelight Meditation with Akshay\\n Using the candlelight we gaze at the flame learning to train the eyes not to blink. It gives great relaxation to the eyes and nervous system. The benefits of Trataka candlelight meditation: increased cognitive performance and focus. improved sleep quality. improved eye health. \\nClick here to find out more or book this session\\n\\nVipaasana Meditation with Akshay\\nVipassana is a way of self-transformation through self-observation. It involves observing your thoughts and emotions as they are, without judging or dwelling on them. Vipassana can reduce stress and anxiety, which may have benefits for substance use. \\nClick here to find out more or book this session\\n\\nYoga Nidra with Shivayogi\\nSome relaxation breathing techniques. Holding longer restorative poses before bed helps your body find restful sleep that leaves you waking up refreshed and ready for the day. \\nClick here to find out more or book this session\\n\\nStretch and Breath with Shrutika\\nA simple practice of stretching, connected with your breath, to improve elasticity and muscle tone. The result is a feeling of increased range of motion, muscle control, and flexibility. \\nClick here to find out more or book this session\\n\\nRestorative yoga for deep relaxation with Swathi\\nRestorative yoga allows the body to slow down & relax with 4-6 poses/asanas per session, each pose is held for longer duration. This Practice will help to relieve chronic stress, improve sleep, improve digestion, balance your Blood Pressure, reduce muscle tension & general fatigue. \\nClick here to find out more or book this session\\n\\nKriya, Pranayama and Meditation with Rohan\\nThis practice focuses on breathwork and using breath and meditation to relax, rejuvenate, and heal the mind, body, and spirit. \\nClick here to find out more or book this session\\n\\nKundalini Yoga-Breathing,Movement and Meditation with Bodhi\\nKriyas are a set of purifying practices intended to help the body to clear energy pathways and strengthen the immune system. Simple kriyas can be included in a daily practice to boost self-confidence and promote vibrant health. \\nClick here to find out more or book this session\\n\\nBreathing & Meditation with Trupti\\nMeditation stills and calms the mind. Your teacher will guide you to focus on your own breath and then clear your mind from excessive thoughts and distractions. \\nClick here to find out more or book this session\\n\\nBreathing & Meditation with Archana\\nMeditation stills and calms the mind. Your teacher will guide you to focus on your own breath and then clear your mind from excessive thoughts and distractions. Meditation is a great way to restore energy to a tired mind and help you gain mental focus and clarity. \\nClick here to find out more or book this session\\n\\nBreath & Flow with Bharath\\nA Yoga class for all! This class introduces foundational yoga asanas combined with a full-body flow which will help to stretch, strengthen and rejuvenate. In addition to asana, the class includes opportunities for pranayama (breathing techniques) and meditation. \\nClick here to find out more or book this session\\n\\nChakras & Sound Healing with Abhishek\\nChakra meditation followed by bamboo flute and jaw harp. Greater and faster ability to heal your mental, physical, spiritual and emotional self. \\nClick here to find out more or book this session\\n\\nKundalini with Sujit\\nA Kundalini practice is enlivening and even beginners will feel a sense of awakening. The breathing techniques are used to stimulate the nervous system, leaving the mind feeling sharp and alive. Kundalini yoga uses the breath, postures, and meditation. \\nClick here to find out more or book this session\\n\\nLaughter Yoga with Kanika\\nThis modern exercise involves prolonged voluntary laughter. This type of yoga is based on the belief that voluntary laughter provides similar physiological and psychological benefits as spontaneous laughter. much playfulness between participants. Intentional laughter often turns into real and contagious laughter. \\nClick here to find out more or book this session\\n\\nYoga for Stress & Anxiety with Nandeep\\nThis is a mind-body practice that combines physical postures, breathing exercises, kriyas, pranayama, deep relaxation & meditation. With a regular yoga practice, your stress hormone levels drop & your body functioning improves thus creating an environment for your mind to effectively manage stress. \\nClick here to find out more or book this session\\n\\n\\nJoin the MyYogaTeacher team and community for this rejuvenating 7 day event from August 12-18!\\n"},"category":["myYogaTeacher","yoga"]},{"id":"cl5wwa1a0gnol0dhdo5ntl12t","slug":"frequently-asked-yoga-questions","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":null},"title":"11 Common Yoga Questions (and Their Answers)","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"Do you have yoga questions that you're to shy to ask? Get answers to the 11 most common yoga questions here!","readTime":null,"excerpt":"Do you have yoga questions that you're to shy to ask? Get answers to the 11 most common yoga questions here!","tags":[],"createdAt":"2022-07-22T20:08:11.250342+00:00","coverUrl":"wjnf6gca2leiwcxskli4.jpg","content":{"text":"Most of us have questions before or when we start practicing yoga! That’s normal. As a matter of fact, as you grow in your practice, the amount of questions doesn’t really get smaller. They just get different!\\nYoga teachers get asked tons of questions, and, generally, they love answering them! But sometimes, a new yoga student or someone who’s considering starting yoga may feel too shy or embarrassed to ask. Then they go to Google, get lots of conflicting answers, and may give up on yoga before they ever start.\\nWe definitely don’t want that!\\nSo here are the 11 most common yoga questions we get asked and their \\nreal\\n answers!\n\\n\\n1. How long do I wait after eating before I can do yoga?\\nIf you can practice in the morning, before you eat, that is ideal, or later in the evening. However, other than those times, we recommend waiting at least 2 hours after you eat before you start your yoga practice. Doing yoga on a full stomach can cause discomfort and even nausea. It also means you’ll have less energy since your body is busy digesting food!\\n\\n\\n\\n2. Do I have to be flexible to practice yoga?\\nAbsolutely not! As a matter of fact, lack of flexibility is a good reason to \\nstart\\n a regular yoga practice! Besides that, yoga is much more than just stretching. It’s a physical activity that tones, strengthens, calms, and heals the body, mind, and spirit.\\n\\n3. I’m pregnant. Can I still do yoga?\\nYes you can! It’s important when you’re pregnant to do yoga under the guidance of a prenatal yoga instructor or other expert yoga instructor though. There are yoga poses that pregnant women should avoid, such as inversions and poses where you lie flat on your back. \\n\\n4. How often should I practice yoga for best results?\\nIf you’re a beginner, we recommend starting with only 2-3 classes that require more exertion a week (such as Ashtanga, Power, or Vinyasa yoga). However, there are many other types of yoga to try in between, such as restorative yoga, yin yoga, or any of MyYogaTeacher’s meditative yoga classes! As you advance in your practice, you may feel strong enough to try more difficult yoga classes more times per week. Either way, you’ll experience the benefits of yoga whether you do it once a week or 7 days a week!\\n\\n5. Do I need any special equipment to practice yoga?\\nWhile we do recommend the use of a yoga mat, technically, you don’t \\nhave\\n to have one. You can practice yoga on any surface you feel is safe and comfortable. Many yogis also have blocks, bolsters, and straps to help them modify poses or go deeper into poses. But those certainly aren’t necessary to reap the benefits of doing yoga.\\n\\n\\n\\n6. Why do I need a yoga class? Can’t I just do it by myself with a book or video?\\nYou certainly can do yoga by yourself with the use of a book or video but most yogis (especially inexperienced ones) will agree that this isn’t as safe as practicing yoga with a live teacher. Yoga classes allow your yoga teacher to see how you perform the poses and can make corrections to your alignment or help you make appropriate modifications and adjustments as needed. At MyYogaTeacher, ALL of our classes are taught live, and you get personalized attention from your yoga instructor, even in group sessions!\\nDoing yoga poses incorrectly may cause injuries! MyYogaTeacher offers a Yoga Basics and a Yoga 201 class to help beginners create a strong yoga foundation for regular practice. \\n\\n\\nGrab your free 2-week trial of unlimited group classes here and check them out! No credit card required\\n.\\n\\n7. What kind of clothes do I need to practice yoga?\\nDespite what you may see on social media, you do not \\nneed\\n a certain kind of clothing, including the ever popular yoga pants or yoga leggings. If you’d like to wear those, however, by all means! The best clothes for yoga are comfortable ones that you can move freely in. You’ll practice barefoot or, if you’d prefer, in yoga socks.\\n\\n8. What are all the strange terms I hear my yoga teacher saying?\\nMany yoga instructors commonly use the Sanskrit words for yoga poses instead of the English translation. This is a good thing! Yoga is ancient and rooted in tradition, and continuing to use and pass on the language is an important part of maintaining the culture of yoga. If you don’t understand something your instructor is saying, please ask! However, we’ve compiled a list of common yoga \\nSanskrit words you may hear in class and what they mean in this blog post\\n.\\n\\n\\n\n9. Will yoga get or keep me in shape?\\nIf you practice regularly and eat healthfully, yes! Absolutely! Just like with any physical activity, you won’t see continued results unless you practice regularly. How you fuel body is also a large part of getting physically and mentally healthy. Yoga can be as strenuous as cardio or as easy as your regular post workout stretch and everything in between. It is definitely possible for yoga to help you lose weight and/or get the body you want.\\n\\n10. Can I do yoga if I’m injured or have a physical disability?\\nYes, you can! Here at MyYogaTeacher, we feel strongly that yoga is for every body. Meaning any body type, shape, size, and all ability levels. Our highly trained and experienced expert yoga teachers from India come packing credentials and tools to help you practice yoga in a way that is safe and works for you!\\n\\n11. Why should I start practicing yoga anyway? \\nA regular yoga practice provides benefits far beyond what any other type of exercise will do! Why? Because yoga is a whole health form of practice. Everything you do in yoga positively affects your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, and the benefits carry over to your life from day to day. Yoga cures things like back pain, joint pain, lowers blood pressure, provides mental clarity and focus, reduces blood sugar, promotes healing, and so much more.\\nWe guess the question is, why \\nwouldn’t\\n you want to start practicing yoga?!\\nMost, if not all, of MyYogaTeacher’s expert yoga instructors are \\nmore\\n than qualified to help you! We value authentic, traditional yoga and truly care about the health and wellbeing of our students. For us, yoga isn’t just a class. It’s the way we live our life.\\nNot a MyYogaTeacher member? Whether you’re interested in teaching yoga, starting yoga, or growing in your yoga journey, MyYogaTeacher is a great place to do it!\\nWhen you sign up for a 1:1 membership with us you get:\\n102 expert\\n, highly qualified yoga instructors to choose from\\nThe ability to switch instructors\\n or take classes with only your faves\\nAccess to unlimited group classes\\n, taught \\nlive\\nPersonalized instruction\\n and work out, diet, and lifestyle plans\\nTo be a member of a HUGE community\\n of happy yogis from around the world\\nYoga teachers who become friends\\n, who truly care about you!\\nIf you haven’t checked us out already, \\ngrab two free 1:1 sessions with your 2-week free trial here\\n"},"category":["yoga"]},{"id":"cl5vfsl7v3uzd0biu1vu080tn","slug":"benefits-of-sound-healing","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":null},"title":"The Not-So-Secret Benefits of Sound Healing: When Music is Medicine","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"Ever wondered what all the hype is about sound healing meditation? Bowls and chanting and music without words? Check it out here!","readTime":null,"excerpt":"Ever wondered what all the hype is about sound healing meditation? Bowls and chanting and music without words? Check it out here!","tags":[],"createdAt":"2022-07-21T19:38:57.229678+00:00","coverUrl":"yceufd0mdixpbsqnowqt.jpg","content":{"text":"It’s no secret that music is old, ancient in fact. Humans have been making and listening to music for millenia…\\nthousands\\n of years. While the origins of music may be a bit of a mystery, it is obvious that humans respond to it mentally, emotionally, and physically.\\nMusic is medicine with absolutely no negative physiological side effects.\\nOur bodies emit energy, just like every other thing (living or not) on this planet. And when we are exposed to certain frequencies of music, which is also energy, our bodies respond to it. Sometimes, the vibration from music alone can positively impact our body. \\nScience has proven that sound healing is an effective tool to treat physical pain as well as emotional and mental distress. However, anecdotally, music has shown to be a powerful source of healing for many people in many ways.\\nHere at MyYogaTeacher, we believe wholeheartedly in the power of sound healing. We don’t teach it just because it’s an ancient, traditional practice. It truly benefits our students’ mental, physical, and emotional health!\\nNot a MyYogaTeacher member? Whether you’re interested in teaching yoga, starting yoga, or growing in your yoga journey, MyYogaTeacher is a great place to do it!\\nWhen you sign up for a 1:1 membership with us you get:\\n102 expert\\n, highly qualified yoga instructors to choose from\\nThe ability to switch instructors\\n or take classes with only your faves\\nAccess to unlimited group classes\\n, taught \\nlive\\nPersonalized instruction\\n and work out, diet, and lifestyle plans\\nTo be a member of a HUGE community\\n of happy yogis from around the world\\nYoga teachers who become friends\\n, who truly care about you!\\nIf you haven’t checked us out already, \\ngrab two free 1:1 sessions with your 2-week free trial here\\n!\\nLet’s discuss the benefits of sound healing!\\n\\n\n\\nSound healing meditation helps with pain management\\nThe most common form of pain management, particularly in America, is over-the-counter and prescription medications. Increasingly more people are seeking alternative pain management techniques due to the negative side effects of these medications.\\nAlso known in the scientific world as \\nvibroacoustic therapy\\n, sound healing has been proven to improve physical pain from illnesses and diseases such as:\\nFibromyalgia\\nArthritis\\nCOVID-19\\nBone issues (such as heal spurs)\\nCerebral palsy\\nScience of how sound therapy improves pain\\nSound therapy and sound meditation has also been shown to alleviate menstrual symptoms, postoperative pain, and reduces muscle pain and stiffness. \\nHow? Sound therapy lowers your blood pressure and improves circulation, both of which affect pain intensity. Additionally, sound works through the vibrational tactile sensors in the body, stimulating the touch fibers that affect pain perception.\\nSound vibrations that match the vibration of the energy of healthy cells in the body have also been shown to heal the body and bring it back to a harmonious energy state. Scientists all over the world have created devices of all sorts that emulate the vibrational waves of different parts of the body in order to provide healing.\\nAt MyYogaTeacher, you don’t need any devices to participate in sound healing! Many of our instructors are highly experienced experts in the world of sound healing meditation and provide various types of classes focused on the topic.\\nBesides healing the body and helping with pain management, sound meditations are beneficial in other ways as well.\\n\\n\\nSound meditation improves mental and emotional health\\nRemember how I mentioned that sound therapy reduces blood pressure and increases blood flow? Lower blood pressure means the body is calming down and not releasing as much cortisol, a stress hormone that is bad for you in high or consistent doses. Improved circulation means your body and mind are receiving more oxygen and nutrient-rich blood, which fuels us and makes us feel more relaxed and invigorated.\\nSound is a powerful and effective tool for changing one’s brain state, improving mood, reducing anxiety and depression, and calming down the central nervous system.\\nScience behind how sound meditation improves mental health\\nOur brains emit four different types of \\nbrain waves\\n at various times of day:\\nBeta waves\\n are emitted when our brains are the most active, usually during the day or during activity\\nAlpha waves \\noccur when the brain is finished with a task or activity or when one meditates\\nTheta waves \\nare associated with REM sleep, daydreaming, or have highway hypnosis when you’re driving for a long time\\nDelta waves \\noccur when you’re having a dreamless sleep and are the slowest of the four types of waves\\nSound waves occur at all different frequencies. But sound meditation and sound therapy involves music made with an instrument or through chanting at a frequency that matches alpha, theta, or delta waves, depending on the goal of the meditation.\\nThis allows your mind and body to relax deeply while still being conscious. When our brains are conscious but in a meditative trance-like state, we are easily able to release negative thoughts, energy, stress, worries. Our minds are suggestable, malleable to change in thought patterns and behaviors.\\nSound therapy also provides such a deep relaxation that you are refreshed and calm, free from many or all of the anxiety and depressive symptoms you suffered from before the session.\\nRegular sound healing meditations are extremely beneficial for mental health and emotional regulation.\\nAre you interested in learning more about the benefits of sound meditation? Maybe you’re ready to try one of the many sound therapy classes we offer at MyYogaTeacher! All are welcome. There is never any judgment if you don’t know or understand something in our classes. MyYogaTeacher classes are safe places to explore, learn, and grow as a human and a yogi!\\nWe offer 1:1 classes with authentic yoga instructors from the birthplace of yoga, India! And if you haven’t experienced virtual private yoga classes yet, MyYogaTeacher makes 1:1 classes affordable and accessible! PLUS, with your membership, you get:\\nRadiance! More energy, peace of mind, and better health & fitness\\n42+ daily group yoga classes, 100% live!\\nDiscounted yoga workshops, all live and interactive!\\nMaking new like-minded friends from around the world\\n\\nGrab your 2-week free trial and check out your membership options here!\\n"},"category":["therapy","emotional_health","anxiety","mental_health"]},{"id":"cl5bqymb5y04c0dk45gnohoyf","slug":"pranayama-and-meditation","author":{"name":"Bodhi","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":null},"title":"The Power of Ancient Pranayama and Meditation Therapy","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"Yoga isn't just a physical practice. Explore how the ancient art of pranayama and meditation improves your health and life! ","readTime":null,"excerpt":"Yoga isn't just a physical practice. Explore how the ancient art of pranayama and meditation improves your health and life! ","tags":[],"createdAt":"2022-07-08T00:56:10.86197+00:00","coverUrl":"khqj05yqx4ahb88hp6pf.jpg","content":{"text":"Are you familiar with the term pranayama? If you practice yoga in a western yoga studio or only use yoga as a physical practice to strengthen, tone, and become more flexible, then the word “pranayama” might not be a word you resonate with.\\nAnd that’s ok! That’s why I’m here!\\nIn Sanskrit, the word “pranayama” means “to have control of your vital life force.” Generally, this refers to yogic breathing and/or breath work. It is the practice of regulating breath.\\nPranayama is a main component of yoga, often practiced in conjunction with traditional meditation sessions but also used in the physical practice of yoga as well.\\nThere are so many benefits to pranayama and yogic breathing that I can’t even get to them all here. But for those of you who are familiar with pranayama and have experience with various forms of yogic breathing techniques, I teach several intermediate and advanced level pranayama and meditation sessions at MyYogaTeacher!\\nIf you’re not a MyYogaTeacher member, I encourage you to grab your 2-week free trial by clicking the link below! No credit card required.\\nWe offer 1:1 classes with authentic yoga instructors from the birthplace of yoga, India! And if you haven’t experienced virtual private yoga classes yet, MyYogaTeacher makes 1:1 classes affordable and accessible! PLUS, with your membership, you get:\\nRadiance! More energy, peace of mind, and better health & fitness\\n42+ daily group yoga classes, 100% live!\\nDiscounted yoga workshops, all live and interactive!\\nMaking new like-minded friends from around the world\\n\\nGrab your 2-week free trial and check out your membership options here!\\n\\nFor those of you who haven’t yet been exposed to the power of ancient pranayama and meditation therapy, let me explain…\\n\\n\nDifferent types of pranayama\\nThere are many different ways to practice yogic breathing. All of them are beneficial in different ways. For beginners, it’s important to learn about the ancient pranayama techniques from a yoga instructor who is experienced in the practices and qualified to teach them!\\nSome of the different types of pranayama include:\\nHumming bee breath\\nVictorious breath\\nAlternate nostril breathing\\nBellows breath\\nHissing breath\\nPranayama is a form of meditation. Meditation is a form of therapy. An ancient form of physical, mental and emotional healing that I’ll discuss here!\\n\\n\\nPranayama and the central nervous system\\nBecause breathing is a natural, unconscious process, we tend to not think about it unless there’s something wrong with our respiratory system. We undervalue the ability of breath to enhance our health and life.\\nHowever, breathing exercises have therapeutic effects on our central nervous system. If anecdotal evidence from ancient times to present wasn’t enough, researchers have now proven in multitudes of studies that purposeful yogic breathwork:\\nIncreases oxygen to your brain and vital organs\\nDecreases cortisol levels that can cause inflammation and compromised immunity\\nImproves sleep quality and quantity while also reducing snoring and sleep apnea\\nReduces high blood pressure\\nImproves lung function\\nEnhances cognitive performance\\nAnd so much more!\\nTraditional meditation and breathing sessions, when practiced regularly, can literally transform your life. Which makes sense since breath is, quite literally, your \\nlife force\\n.\\n\\n\\nThe mental and emotional power of pranayama\\nMany times, our mental and emotional state is a reflection of our physiololgical one. When we’re in chronic pain, struggling with illness or disease, or our bodies are trying to heal from an injury, we may struggle with depression, anxiety, anger. We may not think as clearly or make the best decisions.\\nHowever, mental and emotional struggle can come from other things too. Trauma, abuse, neglect, loss of a loved one, chemical imbalances, life stressors, and not living in the present moment.\\nYogic breathing techniques and meditation practices benefit our mental and emotional wellbeing, whether it’s from physiological problems or not.\\nAncient pranayama sessions (such as the ones I focus on in some of my sessions and workshops) address the five primary currents of breath, or vital force, and these currents are specific to certain regions of the body. They’re called the five prana vayus.\\nPracticing breathing exercises that correspond to these prana vayus is a powerful tool to improve our mental and emotional health. Studies show that yogic breathing:\\nIncreases mindfulness, helping us to stay present and not worry about future or past\\nActivates our parasympathetic nervous system (aka the rest and digest system)\\nHelps our body release feel good chemicals like serotonin and endorphins\\nIncreases self-awareness, which helps us address our emotional health in a positive way\\nDecreases pain and tension, which often contributes to negative mental and emotional states\\nThere is so much that ancient pranayama and meditation does to improve your life! \\nTherapeutic meditation and yogic breathwork isn’t to be taken lightly. If you are just beginning your yoga journey and are interested in how other aspects of your yoga practice, such as breathwork and meditation, will bring healing and harmony to your world, I do recommend seeking out a highly qualified yoga instructor to guide you.\\nMost, if not all, of MyYogaTeacher’s expert yoga instructors are \\nmore\\n than qualified to help you! We value authentic, traditional yoga and truly care about the health and wellbeing of our students. For us, yoga isn’t just a class. It’s the way we live our life.\\nNot a MyYogaTeacher member? Whether you’re interested in teaching yoga, starting yoga, or growing in your yoga journey, MyYogaTeacher is a great place to do it!\\nWhen you sign up for a 1:1 membership with us you get:\\n102 expert\\n, highly qualified yoga instructors to choose from\\nThe ability to switch instructors\\n or take classes with only your faves\\nAccess to unlimited group classes\\n, taught \\nlive\\nPersonalized instruction\\n and work out, diet, and lifestyle plans\\nTo be a member of a HUGE community\\n of happy yogis from around the world\\nYoga teachers who become friends\\n, who truly care about you!\\n\nIf you haven’t checked us out already, \\ngrab two free 1:1 sessions with your 2-week free trial here\\n\\n"},"category":["emotional_health","meditation","mental_health","therapy"]}],"randomPosts":[{"id":"ckj8x24cw75fo0934a9ivozbm","slug":"yoga-for-flexibility-poses","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"Yoga for Flexibility: 8 Yoga Poses That Make You Bendy Fast!","createdAt":"2020-12-28T18:50:02.147552+00:00","coverUrl":"yoga-for-flexibility-poses-1.png","content":{"text":"If you're feeling about as flexible as a board, yoga can help! Contrary to what some people believe, you don't have to be already flexible to get started with yoga. In fact, practicing yoga regularly can help you increase flexibility and mobility. But with thousands of poses to choose from, how do you actually practice yoga for flexibility? Keep reading... we're going to teach you some great poses!\\n\\nBefore we get to our yoga poses to increase your flexibility, let's take a minute to look at why flexibility is important and explore the connection between yoga and flexibility.\\n\\nWhy Is Flexibility Important?\\nFlexibility is a key indicator of overall good physical health. Maintaining flexibility helps us in several ways:\\n\\nOver time, we can lose flexibility for any number of reasons—stress, bad posture and movements, aging. But that doesn't mean that you just have to accept this loss of flexibility and live your life without being able to tie your shoes.\\n\\nThat's where yoga comes in. Practicing yoga for flexibility can relieve tight hamstrings, calves, hips, shoulders, and more. When you participate in a yoga class or find a \\nyoga trainer online\\n, you're on your way to increasing your flexibility and your health.\\n\\nmyYogaTeacher offers several live, online yoga classes for flexibility and strength. If you want to increase your flexibility with a live yoga class from the comfort of your own home and taught by expert yoga teachers from India, \\nregister with myYogaTeacher\\n!\\n\\nThe Connection Between Yoga And Flexibility\\nAs you probably already know, yoga is more than stretching. Asanas (poses) touch major muscle groups as well as those smaller muscles that most people don't know they even have. Yoga styles like yin and restorative are excellent for deeper, longer stretches and are also effective as yoga for stress relief. You can find a live, online yin, or restorative yoga class on \\nmyYogaTeacher\\n.\\n\\nNo matter your level of flexibility, even a short yoga practice of 10–15 minutes each day will help you increase your flexibility. There's no need to rush into advanced poses or ignore props, either. Yoga isn't about nailing a pose perfectly so you can share it with your Instagram followers. It's about learning about your body, what it needs, what it pushes against, and how you can honor it. The flexibility will come in time.\\n\\n\"How much time?\" you're probably wondering.\\n\\nIt depends.\\n\\nNot the answer anyone ever wants, but flexibility depends on a number of factors like how your joints are put together, your muscle composition, your body type, and more. But the time's going to pass anyway. Why not practice yoga for flexibility?\\n\\n8 Yoga Poses to Increase Flexibility\\nIf you're practicing yoga for flexibility, consistency is key. Doing a yoga class once a month isn't going to give you the results you want. That's why we recommend signing up for \\nmyYogaTeacher\\n where you get access to live yoga classes for a monthly fee (it’s less than the drop-in fee for most in-person classes). Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, and Restorative yoga are the classes you'll want to check out to increase your flexibility.\\n\\nWant to get started right now? Here are 8 yoga poses you can use to increase your flexibility. Before practicing, you'll want to do a short warm-up (sun salutations are a great warm-up). When you're just starting out with yoga for flexibility, we recommend holding each pose for 5–10 slow, deep breaths. You can increase the number of breaths over time.\\n\\nShoulders\\nShoulders hold a lot of stress and tightness. The combination of extended periods of sitting and poor posture can lead to a lot of tension that decreases flexibility and range of motion. The \\nyoga poses\\n here are perfect for opening your shoulders, chest, and neck.\\n\\n1. Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose)\\n\\nBridge pose is a great way to open through your chest and shoulders. You can modify this pose by not going up as high, not clasping your hands underneath you, or even adding a block under your sacrum for a supported bridge.\\n\\nTo do this pose:\\nLie down on your back and bend your knees with your feet on the floor.\\nOn the inhale, press into your heels and lift your hips upward, lengthening through your chest. Keep the knees pointing forward.\\nPress the hands into the floor or bring them underneath your back and interlace your fingers with your elbows pressed into the floor.\\n2. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)\\n\\nCobra pose is a small backbend that opens up the chest and improves flexibility in the shoulders.\\n\\nTo do this pose:\\nLie down on your stomach.\\nPlace your hands underneath your shoulders and press up through your hands while lifting your chest.\\nKeep your lower body grounded into the floor.\\nBack\\nLower back pain can be a result of tension, a weak core, or a number of other reasons. These poses will help you gently stretch your back and regain mobility.\\n\\n3. Marjariasana & Bitilasana (Cat-Cow Pose)\\n\\nThe cat-cow pose is technically the combination of two separate poses but they're often found together. This pose improves flexibility and mobility in the neck, shoulders, spine, and core.\\n\\nTo do this pose:\\nStart on all fours with wrists under shoulders and knees under hips. Your weight should be balanced evenly.\\nOn the inhale, let your stomach fall towards the floor as you raise your chest and chin.\\nOn the exhale, press your hands into the floor and round your spine towards the ceiling, tucking your chin into your chest.\\n4. Supta Matsyendrasana (Supine Spinal Twist)\\n\\nTwists are great for the spine! There are tons of different twisting yoga poses for flexibility but this one is perfect for relieving tightness and tension as well as improving mobility in the back.\\n\\nTo do this pose:\\nLie on your back with your knees bent and feet on the ground.\\nBring your knees to your chest, place your right hand on the outside of your left thigh.\\nDrop your legs over to the right side and use your right hand to deepen the twist as much as feels good. Be sure to keep your shoulders on the ground.\\nStretch your left arm out to the side and let your gaze fall to the left.\\nRepeat on the other side.\\nHips\\nThe hips are packed full of muscles. To get better flexibility and mobility in your hips, focus on poses that stretch the psoas, iliacus, hip flexors, quads, and glutes.\\n\\n5. \\nKapotasana\\n (Pigeon Pose)\\n\\nPigeon pose helps you deeply stretch your hip flexors as well as giving you a nice stretch across your glutes. If you have very tight hips, you can use blocks and bolsters to make yourself more comfortable.\\n\\nTo do this pose:\\nStart in Downward Facing Dog and lift your right leg into the air.\\nBring your right leg into your body center and place your foot next to your right wrist or wherever it feels right for you. Keep your right foot flexed.\\nUntuck your back toes and rest your left leg on the ground, rotated inward.\\n6. Anjaneyasana (Crescent Lunge Pose)\\n\\nCrescent lunge pose is a great pose because you can choose any number of ways to enjoy it. It's an excellent hip opener that gives you great control over how intense the stretch is.\\n\\nTo do this pose:\\nStart on your knees and bring your left leg forward, placing your left foot flat on the floor. Untuck the toes on your rear foot.\\nLift your arms overhead as you push your hips forward, sinking into your left knee.\\nSlightly arch your back and lift through your chest if that feels right for you.\\nRepeat on the other side.\\nHamstrings\\nTight hamstrings are a common complaint from those seeking out yoga for flexibility. Being tight in this area can lead to other problems like lower back pain.\\n\\n7. Paschimottanasana (Straight Legged Seated Forward Fold Pose)\\n\\nA seated forward fold is an excellent hamstring stretch. You don't have to be able to grab your feet to benefit from this stretch, either. Some people with really tight hamstrings can get a stretch from a slight lean towards the feet. You can use a yoga strap if that keeps you steady in your stretch.\\n\\nTo do this pose:\\nStart in Staff Pose with your bottom on the floor and your legs straight out in front of you.\\nLift your arms over your head and slowly fold your torso over your legs until you can reach your shins, ankles, toes, or anywhere that feels right for you and gives you a nice, not painful stretch.\\n8. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog)\\n\\nDownward-facing dog is an excellent pose for just about everything. It's commonly used as a resting or transition pose in yoga class but it's a great stretching and strengthening pose for your entire body. And it's great for increasing the flexibility in your hamstrings.\\n\\nTo do this pose:\\nStart on all fours with your feet slightly narrower than hip distances. Your toes should be tucked and your hands lined up with your shoulders.\\nOn the inhale push your hips back and up, engaging your shoulders, legs, and core. Your weight should be evenly distributed.\\nPush through your heels to feel your hamstrings stretch. Walk your feet by bending one knee at a time.\\nWrapping Up\\nNow you know 8 yoga poses that will help you improve your flexibility. When you practice yoga for flexibility consistently, you'll notice that you not only get more flexible but you'll be stronger, healthier, and have greater peace of mind. Plus, the more you work on your flexibility, the less pain and muscle tension you'll have in your body.\\n\\nThese poses are a great starting point, but if you really want to enjoy the benefits of yoga faster, you'll definitely want to register for \\nmyYogaTeacher\\n. We offer yoga for flexibility, yoga for stress relief, and so much more. And, myYogaTeacher is more than just a bunch of pre-recorded yoga videos. With us, you get access to the finest yoga teachers from India—they really become your yoga trainer online. Join us today and get started on your journey towards flexibility."}},{"id":"ckmw44kt43y1k0c8107r78vo7","slug":"chair-yoga-practice","author":{"name":"Gourangi","teacherMytSlug":"gourangi-1","pictureUrl":"Gourangi-1.jpg"},"title":"Chair Yoga: Accessible, Gentle and Great for Every Body","createdAt":"2021-03-30T14:25:43.568064+00:00","coverUrl":"chair_yoga_ckmw44kt43y1k0c8107r78vo7.png","content":{"text":"If you have mobility or balance issues or are just looking for a gentle way to practice yoga, chair yoga poses might be just what you're looking for! Chair yoga is a great way to bring yoga into your life even if you need a bit more support for your body in your practice. In this article, I'm going to share more information about what chair yoga is, its benefits, contraindications, and wrap up with some real life chair yoga poses to get you started with chair yoga.\\n\\n[CTA-DEFAULT]\\nWhat Is Chair Yoga?\\nChair yoga is an accessible form of yoga in which practitioners use a chair to support their bodies in various modified poses. It's a wonderful practice for anyone regardless of age, injuries, flexibility, or mobility issues.\\n\\nIn chair yoga, many yoga postures, asanas, are done from a seated position, bringing stability to the body. Many chair yoga poses simply require the chair as a prop to help with balance in standing postures or floor-based postures.\\n\\nChair Yoga Benefits\\nChair yoga is a gentle type of yoga, and just like other types of yoga, there are several benefits to a chair yoga practice:\\nImproved strength, balance, and flexibility\\nReduced stress\\nImproved focus, awareness, and confidence\\nLess physical pain\\nChair Yoga Contraindications\\nWhile chair yoga poses are gentle, there are still some contraindications or limiting factors that might keep you from participating in a chair yoga practice. Even though there are many benefits of chair yoga, ultimately, you should consult your physician if you're unsure whether you should be participating in chair yoga. Here are a few reasons you may not want to practice chair yoga:\\nRecent heart attack\\nRegular chest pains\\nAcute infection\\nIf you have high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis, joint problems, or have had a hip replacement, please contact your doctor for approval.\\n\\n7 Chair Yoga Poses\\nThere are a number of yoga poses that can be done seated or using a chair. Some of the poses we're including here will be greatly modified from their original form, but others are just slight modifications. Before you get started, make sure your chair (a sturdy chair with a back) is on a stable, non-slip surface so it doesn't move around with you.\\n\\n1. Seated Mountain Pose\\nMountain Pose is a great chair yoga pose to start with. Take a seat on your chair with your feet flat on the floor and engage your core. Focus on your breath, taking a deep breath in as you lengthen your spine. On the exhale, ground yourself into the chair through your sit bones. Make sure the shoulders are rolled down and back and relax your arms at your sides. Stay here, focusing on your breathing and keeping your core gently engaged for a minute or so.\\n\\n2. Seated Cat-Cow Pose\\nSit in your chair with your feet firmly on the ground and your spine long and tall. Place your hands on your thighs, just above your knees. Inhale and tilt your pelvis forward, arching your lower back and lifting your heart towards the sky. On the exhale, round out your lower back, creating space between your shoulder blades and tucking your chin toward the chest. Repeat this sequence five times.\\n\\n3. Seated Chandrasana\\nChandrasana is a lateral bend that will help stretch the sides of your body. Start from a seated position in your chair with your feet firmly planted on the floor. On the inhale, reach both of your arms up toward the ceiling. Grab your left wrist with your right hand and stretch over to the right on the exhale. Inhale and come back to center. Next, grab your right wrist with your left hand and stretch over to the left on the exhale. Inhale back to center. Repeat this sequence five times.\\n\\n4. Seated Uttanasana\\nUttanasana is a forward fold that lengthens the back of the body. If you have high blood pressure, do not let your head drop below your knees.\\n\\nFrom a seated position, bring your hands to your thighs, just above your knees. Keep your bottom grounded on your chair and fold forward until you can rest your elbows on your thighs. If you'd like, you can fold forward until your torso is resting on your thighs. Rest in this pose for about a minute and return to an upright seated position slowly.\\n\\n5. Seated Twist\\nTwists are great for creating space in your spine, improving blood flow, and aiding with digestion. From a seated position, inhale and sit up tall. On the exhale, bring your right hand across your left knee and your left hand behind you on the chair. Stay here for five breaths before inhaling back to the center and repeating on the other side.\\n\\nIt's important to be gentle with your body in seated twists. Many people find it a lot easier to overdo these stretches so don't go as far as you possibly can, just go to where the twist feels comfortable.\\n\\n6. Down Dog with Chair\\nDown dog is an excellent pose for strengthening your arms and core, lengthening the sides of your body and hamstrings, and building up your hip stabilizing muscles. Here we're going to use the chair as a prop.\\n\\nStand behind your chair with your hands on the back of it. Walk your feet a little farther from the chair, keeping your feet hip-distance apart. Your torso will begin to fold forward. Find a challenging position where you can still maintain even breaths and stay here for 5–10 breaths before slowly walking your feet back toward the chair.\\n\\n7. Chair Surya Namaskar (Chair Sun Salutation)\\n\\nYes, you can even do a sun salutation from a chair! No matter whether you’re doing chair yoga because of mobility issues, disabilities, or just need a break while seated at your desk, a seated sun salutation is a wonderful option.\\n\\nSit on your chair with your feet close together and join the palms together at your heart, namaste. Extend the spine and torso upwards while keeping your sit bones grounded on the chair. Close your eyes and begin breathing slowly and deeply. Stay here for at least six breaths.\\n\\nInhale, raising your arms above your head, keeping your palms together. Extend your arms beyond your head and shoulders and exhale completely, taking the gaze either up to the sky or straight in front of you. Stay here for four breaths.\\n\\nFrom here, exhale and bend forward at the hips, taking your hands down to the floor if you can and resting your torso on your thighs. Stay here for four breaths. If you have trouble breathing in this pose, feel free to place a cushion on your thighs.\\n\\nNow, inhale and come up, sitting straight up on your chair. Exhale. On the next inhale, raise your right leg up and hold the right thigh, bending your knee into your chest for a low lunge variation. Stay here for six breaths or more. If it feels nice, you can deepen this stretch, resting your nose on the knee of your bent leg, and hold the pose for another six breaths. Exhale your foot back down to the floor.\\n\\nOn the next inhale, raise your arms up over your head again, slightly arching your back, and stay here for six breaths. Once again, move into a forward fold and stay here for four breaths before repeating the low lunge variation on your other leg. Exhale your foot back down to the floor.\\n\\nInhale, raising your arms up over your head, arching your back, and stay in this pose for eight breaths this time. Exhale into a forward fold and stand for eight breaths. Bring your arms up over your head again, stretching deeper, and stay here for 10 breaths.\\n\\nRepeat the sun salutation sequence at least one more time. If you'd like, you can end your practice in Savasana with your legs bent and your lower legs resting on the seat of the chair.\\n\\nIncrease Strength, Flexibility, and Mental Focus With Chair Yoga\\nOne of the biggest chair yoga benefits is that it consists of modified poses that are done while seated or using a chair as a prop for support and stability. This type of yoga has many of the same benefits as other more traditional types of yoga and is the perfect option for people with mobility issues, injuries, or other health concerns.\\n\\nInterested in trying chair yoga? \\nSign up for a free two-week trial of myYogaTeacher\\n and join me in my next class! You'll get access to more than 35 live yoga classes every single day, from chair yoga to power yoga to meditation and beyond."}},{"id":"cks0vdmewusrb0b32oi65ka9z","slug":"yoga-as-medicine","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":null},"title":"How Yoga Works With Modern Medicine: Medical Yoga Therapy","createdAt":"2021-08-06T21:38:11.077476+00:00","coverUrl":"jtsbxwjcix1u5emuxe0l.jpg","content":{"text":"Modern science is slowly, but surely embracing so many things from ancient Eastern culture. More and more therapists are using yoga as a tool for psychotherapy, a “prescription” for mental health problems.\\nBut what about conventional medicine? \\nCan general practitioners use yoga as a prescription for some illnesses instead of leaning solely on medications?\\nThe correct mix of modern technology and ancient medicine could be just what the conventional medicine world needs to be untouchable!\\nTurns out yoga has been proven to heal all kinds of ailments, which technically makes it an exercise, meditation, \\nand\\n a \\nmedicine\\n. Here at MyYogaTeacher, we think that’s pretty cool and wanted to explore how the modern medicine and yoga worlds are starting to collide.\\nOne of the benefits of being a myYogaTeacher member is that you get to experience all kinds of yoga classes, even ones designed to help treat or prevent medical problems, taught by highly trained and experienced expert instructors. \\nIf you haven’t checked it out yet, click here to enjoy your 2-week free trial!\\n\\nWhat is medical yoga therapy?\\nAccording to the National Institute of Health, medical yoga is defined as “the use of yoga practices for the prevention and treatment of medical conditions.” \\nYoga clearly has therapeutic benefits when it comes to helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and a whole host of other mental illnesses. In many cases, a regular yoga practice can end those debilitating issues completely.\\nThe physical side effects of yoga are what truly makes this ancient practice a “modern miracle” for patients suffering from various medical conditions.\\nStudies show that medical yoga therapy improves (and helps control) glucose levels, musculoskeletal ailments, and helps keep the cardiovascular system in check.\\nMedical therapy yoga includes all the aspects of yoga that one may expect from any other yoga practice: asanas, breath work, meditation. But it is much more comprehensive than that.\\nYoga as a prescription\\nYoga doesn’t just treat and prevent illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, menstrual disorders, heart disease, and hormone imbalances. \\nIt helps people create a state of well being, where they can understand the underlying cause of their conditions. When they can understand it themselves, they are more capable of being proactive in preventing the recurrence of their illness or the development of new ones.\\nThis is huge in the world of modern medicine! \\nMedical yoga therapy is an individualized (and holistic) approach to medicine. This means it doesn’t just incorporate the actual practice of yoga, breathwork and meditation. It involves a patient’s family, work environment, support network, and culture in the treatment plan.\\nYoga alone may not be the best prescription. It’s up to a person’s doctor to decide if other treatments are necessary in conjunction with medical yoga therapy. And we are in no way recommending you abandon your doctor’s treatment plan without speaking with them first. \\nHowever, it is not an unlikely scenario that patients who are at risk of developing certain medical conditions could be prescribed yoga to prevent said conditions from occurring! \\nThis would help people avoid more intense (and costly) medical interventions!\\nWhile we are a long way from doctors prescribing yoga as a medicine over pills, there is room to believe that it’s a possibility in the future.\\nHow medical yoga therapy works\\nThe question many people ask about all of this is “how.”\\nHow can something as simple as yoga actually cure and prevent physical medical problems?! \\nFirst, we’d like to give you a good idea of types of conditions yoga can help with:\\nDiabetes - Yoga reduces fasting insulin levels, which normalizes the insulin-to-glucose ratio. It also increases circulation, which improves nerve damage caused by the disease.\\nHypertension - The various breathing techniques practiced in yoga, along with meditation, alleviates stress, tension, and physical pain in various areas of the body, all of which can be a primary cause of high blood pressure.\\nHeart disease - Yoga is a useful lifestyle intervention for people who suffer from high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation, and helps decrease waist circumference. \\nArthritis - The improved strength and flexibility that are associated with yoga also help relieve symptoms of arthritis and chronic back pain, knee pain, and neck pain.\\nThere are many medical conditions that are improved by a consistent yoga practice, but the above illnesses are especially receptive to medical yoga therapy.\\nOn top of that, yoga is an exercise that literally \\nanyone\\n can do!\\nWe know we’ve said it before, but we can’t iterate it enough. Yoga is good for everyone, whether you’re practicing for medical reasons or not. Any size, shape, or age. And it’s incredibly accessible.\\nYoga balances the autonomic nervous system by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system. \\nThroughout your day, your body is responding to the outside stimuli it experiences, whether you realize it or not. Stress, a not so healthy diet, pain (physical, mental, or emotional), disease, illness. All of these things stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, the “fight or flight” mode your body has to protect itself against all the bad things it encounters.\\nWhen one practices yoga, the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” system) is activated, lowering blood pressure, releasing endorphins. Your blood vessels dilate, which means better circulation, more nutrients to your organs. \\nHere are some other benefits of a regular yoga practice:\\nIncreased release of hormones such as GABA, serotonin, and dopamine, all hormones that prevent and cure depression and anxiety.\\nIncreased levels of melatonin, the naturally occurring chemical in your body that helps you sleep\\nIncreased levels of oxytocin, the chemical in your body that helps you feel connected, feel seen and heard.\\nIncreased levels of leptin and adiponectin, chemicals that work to alleviate inflammation in the body.\\nYoga means better health. Better immunity.\\nThere are no bad side effects, like you may have with prescription or OTC medications.\\nThe science is there. Yoga can actually save lives. \\nYoga and aging\\nWe thought this topic deserved a section all to itself. The science demonstrates that yoga increases your lifespan.\\nAccording to the National Institute of Health, studies show that regular yoga practice stabilizes, and even lengthens, telomeres. What are those?\\nWe thought you’d never ask. Telomeres are small, repetitive chromosomal sequences found at the end of chromosomes that protect the chromosome from dying. They prevent cell death. The older we get, the shorter the telomeres get. The structural integrity of our chromosomes decreases.\\nThis process is one of the causes of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, cancer, macular degeneration, cardiovascular disease, and stroke, amongst others.\\nPretty impressive that yoga can play such a significant role in our wellbeing and longevity!\\nHere at myYogaTeacher, we are passionate about advocating for the betterment of people. We want to help you feel better, be healthier, and support you on your journey to harmony with your inner and outer world.\\nIf you’re still on the fence about becoming a MYT member, we invite you to \\ngrab your free 2-week trial here\\n and take advantage of the 35+ classes we offer with experienced, expert instructors you can trust. \\nWe can’t wait to see you on the mat!"}}],"relatedPosts":[],"blogContent":{"id":"cl6eo45ac0km10bjx9w1bqkh6","slug":"welcome-dr-savitha-kootil","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"Dr Savitha Kootil - advisory board member of MyYogaTeacher","createdAt":"2022-08-04T06:39:30.753885+00:00","coverUrl":"omiasndmkn41wbtvzoij.png","seoDescription":null,"content":{"text":"Dr. Savitha Elam-Kootil is an advisory board member at MyYogaTeacher, and she practices internal medicine at Kaiser Permanente where she specializes in primary care, chronic disease management, and elder care. She is also a lead physician for depression care management – a primary care initiative to improve patient health. \\nRaised in Southern India, Dr. Elam-Kootil developed an awareness of yoga early on in her life. After moving to the United States, she began to see a need for the transformative effects of yoga to improve her patients’ mental and physical health. \\nHaving witnessed the benefits of yoga, Dr. Elam-Kootil regularly recommends it to her patients to help with a wide range of issues, including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, sleep apnea, insomnia, depression, anxiety, chronic low back pain, and chronic addictions.\\n“I tell patients that yoga is not just a physical practice with difficult poses, but also a mental practice that can help with breathing, posture, and feeling better emotionally,” says Dr. Elam-Kootil, who takes a holistic approach towards health.\\nEducation\\n- J.L.N. Medical College\\n- Belgaum, Karnataka, India\\n- Internship at the University of South Carolina Richland Memorial Hospital\\n- Residency at the Atlanta Medical Center\\nProfessional Accomplishments\\n- Board certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine\\n- Recipient of Kaiser Permanente’s Golden Stethoscope award\\n- Board certified in sleep medicine by the American Society of Sleep Medicine\\n- Clinical hypertension specialist certified by by the American Society of Hypertension.\\nCurrent Practice\\n- Internist at Kaiser Permanente Georgia\\n","html":"<p>Dr. Savitha Elam-Kootil is an advisory board member at MyYogaTeacher, and she practices internal medicine at Kaiser Permanente where she specializes in primary care, chronic disease management, and elder care. She is also a lead physician for depression care management – a primary care initiative to improve patient health. </p><p>Raised in Southern India, Dr. Elam-Kootil developed an awareness of yoga early on in her life. After moving to the United States, she began to see a need for the transformative effects of yoga to improve her patients’ mental and physical health. </p><p>Having witnessed the benefits of yoga, Dr. Elam-Kootil regularly recommends it to her patients to help with a wide range of issues, including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, sleep apnea, insomnia, depression, anxiety, chronic low back pain, and chronic addictions.</p><p>“I tell patients that yoga is not just a physical practice with difficult poses, but also a mental practice that can help with breathing, posture, and feeling better emotionally,” says Dr. Elam-Kootil, who takes a holistic approach towards health.</p><h2>Education</h2><p>- J.L.N. Medical College</p><p>- Belgaum, Karnataka, India</p><p>- Internship at the University of South Carolina Richland Memorial Hospital</p><p>- Residency at the Atlanta Medical Center</p><h2>Professional Accomplishments</h2><p>- Board certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine</p><p>- Recipient of Kaiser Permanente’s Golden Stethoscope award</p><p>- Board certified in sleep medicine by the American Society of Sleep Medicine</p><p>- Clinical hypertension specialist certified by by the American Society of Hypertension.</p><h2>Current Practice</h2><p>- Internist at Kaiser Permanente Georgia</p><p></p>"},"category":[],"utmCampaign":null,"utmMedium":null,"utmContent":null,"utmSource":null,"utmTerm":null,"utmSearchString":null,"imageHyperlink":[]},"loading":false,"blog_content":[{"type":"HTML","value":"<p>Dr. Savitha Elam-Kootil is an advisory board member at MyYogaTeacher, and she practices internal medicine at Kaiser Permanente where she specializes in primary care, chronic disease management, and elder care. She is also a lead physician for depression care management – a primary care initiative to improve patient health. </p><p>Raised in Southern India, Dr. Elam-Kootil developed an awareness of yoga early on in her life. After moving to the United States, she began to see a need for the transformative effects of yoga to improve her patients’ mental and physical health. </p><p>Having witnessed the benefits of yoga, Dr. Elam-Kootil regularly recommends it to her patients to help with a wide range of issues, including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, sleep apnea, insomnia, depression, anxiety, chronic low back pain, and chronic addictions.</p><p>“I tell patients that yoga is not just a physical practice with difficult poses, but also a mental practice that can help with breathing, posture, and feeling better emotionally,” says Dr. Elam-Kootil, who takes a holistic approach towards health.</p><h2>Education</h2><p>- J.L.N. Medical College</p><p>- Belgaum, Karnataka, India</p><p>- Internship at the University of South Carolina Richland Memorial Hospital</p><p>- Residency at the Atlanta Medical Center</p><h2>Professional Accomplishments</h2><p>- Board certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine</p><p>- Recipient of Kaiser Permanente’s Golden Stethoscope award</p><p>- Board certified in sleep medicine by the American Society of Sleep Medicine</p><p>- Clinical hypertension specialist certified by by the American Society of Hypertension.</p><h2>Current Practice</h2><p>- Internist at Kaiser Permanente Georgia</p><p></p>"},{"type":"CTA","value":"[CTA-DEFAULT]"}],"isSlugACategory":false,"searchCategory":"welcome-dr-savitha-kootil","showPopUp":false,"popUpType":null,"showedPopup":false,"windowWidth":null,"ctaPath":"signup","redirectURL":"#","ctaContent":[{"id":"ckxrz2i14tov40c25g1dpicsg","name":"[CTA-DEFAULT]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private yoga sessions and 2 weeks of unlimited group classes</strong> with authentic yoga teachers. 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She is also a lead physician for depression care management – a primary care initiative to improve patient health. \\nRaised in Southern India, Dr. Elam-Kootil developed an awareness of yoga early on in her life. After moving to the United States, she began to see a need for the transformative effects of yoga to improve her patients’ mental and physical health. \\nHaving witnessed the benefits of yoga, Dr. Elam-Kootil regularly recommends it to her patients to help with a wide range of issues, including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, sleep apnea, insomnia, depression, anxiety, chronic low back pain, and chronic addictions.\\n“I tell patients that yoga is not just a physical practice with difficult poses, but also a mental practice that can help with breathing, posture, and feeling better emotionally,” says Dr. Elam-Kootil, who takes a holistic approach towards health.\\nEducation\\n- J.L.N. Medical College\\n- Belgaum, Karnataka, India\\n- Internship at the University of South Carolina Richland Memorial Hospital\\n- Residency at the Atlanta Medical Center\\nProfessional Accomplishments\\n- Board certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine\\n- Recipient of Kaiser Permanente’s Golden Stethoscope award\\n- Board certified in sleep medicine by the American Society of Sleep Medicine\\n- Clinical hypertension specialist certified by by the American Society of Hypertension.\\nCurrent Practice\\n- Internist at Kaiser Permanente Georgia\\n","html":"<p>Dr. Savitha Elam-Kootil is an advisory board member at MyYogaTeacher, and she practices internal medicine at Kaiser Permanente where she specializes in primary care, chronic disease management, and elder care. She is also a lead physician for depression care management – a primary care initiative to improve patient health. </p><p>Raised in Southern India, Dr. Elam-Kootil developed an awareness of yoga early on in her life. After moving to the United States, she began to see a need for the transformative effects of yoga to improve her patients’ mental and physical health. </p><p>Having witnessed the benefits of yoga, Dr. Elam-Kootil regularly recommends it to her patients to help with a wide range of issues, including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, sleep apnea, insomnia, depression, anxiety, chronic low back pain, and chronic addictions.</p><p>“I tell patients that yoga is not just a physical practice with difficult poses, but also a mental practice that can help with breathing, posture, and feeling better emotionally,” says Dr. Elam-Kootil, who takes a holistic approach towards health.</p><h2>Education</h2><p>- J.L.N. Medical College</p><p>- Belgaum, Karnataka, India</p><p>- Internship at the University of South Carolina Richland Memorial Hospital</p><p>- Residency at the Atlanta Medical Center</p><h2>Professional Accomplishments</h2><p>- Board certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine</p><p>- Recipient of Kaiser Permanente’s Golden Stethoscope award</p><p>- Board certified in sleep medicine by the American Society of Sleep Medicine</p><p>- Clinical hypertension specialist certified by by the American Society of Hypertension.</p><h2>Current Practice</h2><p>- Internist at Kaiser Permanente Georgia</p><p></p>"},"category":[],"utmCampaign":null,"utmMedium":null,"utmContent":null,"utmSource":null,"utmTerm":null,"utmSearchString":null,"imageHyperlink":[]},"recommendations_group_class":null}
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